Friday

Sep 14, 2018 at 12:01 AMSep 14, 2018 at 9:26 PM

The buildup started two weeks ago, after Toledo hardly broke a sweat against VMI in its season opener.

The historic Glass Bowl is expected to fill each of its more than 26,000 seats and coach Jason Candle has made it clear everybody on the team, at the school and in the city knows the big, bad Miami Hurricanes are coming to town.

"The game is not just another game," he said.

Miami? Well, they have other plans.

"We’re built to crush dreams, that’s what we do," running back DeeJay Dallas said.

No. 21 Miami (1-1) will play its first true road game Saturday at noon (ESPN2) against the defending Mid-American Conference champions. The game is a tricky one for Miami, and one that coach Mark Richt said he’s not sure why a road game against a quality Group of Five opponent even was scheduled, something that happened before Richt arrived in 2016.

And Richt made it clear why this week when anybody hinted this game was a layup.

"Here’s what everyone has to understand," he said, "Toledo is a really good football team. They’ve got talent, they’re coached well, are in shape, they win. They don’t beat themselves. They are a very good football team that could beat anyone they line up against including us. So, we respect them that way."

The Rockets are consistent, averaging nine wins a year since their last losing season in 2009. During that time, Toledo has defeated three Power Five programs, including Arkansas and Iowa State in 2015; and put a scare into others including BYU in 2016, Florida in 2013, Ohio State in 2011.

And Miami could be thrown into that latter group despite a very misleading 52-30 victory at Hard Rock Stadium last season. Toledo led 16-10 at the half and held that advantage until Travis Homer put Miami ahead to stay midway through the third quarter. Miami scored six touchdowns in the final 20:36.

"This team is used to winning by double digits," Hurricanes quarterback Malik Rosier said. "They’re not going to be a team you can just go in and roll over. We can’t just bypass these guys. They’re going to come out physical and hyped. Ready to play."

Candle has the Rockets offense humming. Toledo totaled 603 yards against VMI, including 390 through the air. Toledo averaged 483.9 yards of total offense a year ago, finishing 14th nationally. The Rockets were 11-3 and win their third Mid-American Conference championship.

"They’re fun to watch if you’re not playing them," Richt said. "I enjoy offensive football. I enjoy people being able to throw and catch it. I enjoy the art of route running and all that good stuff."

The problem, Richt added, is he’s watching this while preparing to face them.

"So, I wouldn’t say I’m enjoying it."

The Rockets have been off since their 66-3 victory over VMI on Sept. 1, the program’s largest margin of victory in 67 years. This gave them two weeks – and likely more – to prepare for the Hurricanes. Toledo certainly spent time on Miami before the season started.

For Miami, there still is plenty to prove. A 77-0 victory over Savannah State a week ago in its home opener may have felt good, but it could not fully erase the sting of an embarrassing season-opener against LSU in which UM fell behind by 30 points before scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

The defense has shown signs of being the unit the Hurricanes are expecting but the offense remains a concern. Overwhelming an undermanned Savannah State proved little.

All eyes will be on Rosier, who is under fire from an antsy fan base. The redshirt senior continues to struggle with his accuracy and has had four consecutive subpar performances against worthy opponents.

Rosier will start, but Richt might not hesitate to make a change if he struggles early. Redshirt freshman N’Kosi Perry is No. 2 on the depth chart and would be the first man in if Rosier falters.

Additionally, the running game has not gotten untracked and leading receiver Ahmmon Richards of Wellington will miss his second consecutive game with a bruised knee.

All of which makes this a dangerous game for a team still looking to find its identity. This marks the end of a two game, home-and-home, contract between the schools and Toledo is looking to make it a memorable one.

"We know what’s at stake," Rockets junior safety DeDarallo Blue told the Toledo Blade this week. "This is the game. Alabama and Auburn is that game. This is our game this year. That’s a big opportunity for all of us. It’s also going to put us on a different display for the country to see what we have been cooking up the past couple seasons."

[Miami freshman Al Blades Jr. says it was emotional when he was named team captain for the week]

[Hurricanes notebook: Receiver Jeff Thomas improving his skills to go along with his speed]